‘No Holdup at League Level’ — NBA Insider’s Kawhi Leonard Update Fuels Rumor of Clippers Holding Up Raptors Trade Out of Spite
· Yahoo Sports
Kawhi Leonard’s trade to the Toronto Raptors was agreed upon by the Los Angeles Clippers back in June this year. However, nearly three months into the deal, it is still unclear when it will be finalized and when the seven-time NBA All-Star will once again join his former team in Toronto.
Now, one NBA insider has revealed that there’s no holdup for the trade at the league level, hinting that the Clippers might be stalling the deal on purpose.
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Marc Stein’s Update Fuels Speculation Over Why Clippers Are Delaying Kawhi Leonard Trade
Initially, the Leonard-Raptors trade was delayed due to the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers’ alleged under-the-table deal involving Leonard.
The Raptors were informed by the league that they would have to bear the consequences of any punishment the NBA might levy on the two-time NBA Finals MVP if the allegations were found to be true.
But the investigation has since been completed, bringing historic punishment for the Clippers. While Leonard was also fined $700,000, the two-time NBA champion avoided the suspension many around the league had feared.
That cleared Leonard’s path to return to his former team. But there is still no indication that the Clippers want to finalize the deal. Leading NBA insider Marc Stein offered an update on the situation, writing on X that both the Clippers and the Raptors have league-level approval.
“UPDATE: Sources briefed on the situation tell @TheSteinLine that the Clippers and Raptors are free at any time to co-submit for NBA approval their agreed-in-June Kawhi Leonard trade. Obviously both teams must want the trade call but I’m told there is no holdup at league level,” Stein wrote.
Previously, Jake Fischer, another contributor at The Stein Line, reported that a possible reason behind the delay was that the Clippers were restructuring their front office following the suspensions of owner Steve Ballmer (one year), president of business operations Gillian Zucker (one year), and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank (six months).
But Stein’s latest update raises fresh questions about the delay, fueling speculation that the Clippers are holding up the Raptors trade to get back at Leonard.
He emerged from the controversy relatively unharmed and reportedly accepted the punishment rather than contesting it. It left the Clippers alone to deal with the fallout while their franchise star prepares to move on to another team.
Meanwhile, amid all the drama, Leonard reportedly participated in a minicamp with other Raptors players in Miami, suggesting that he is fully invested in moving on with the Raptors.
If the deal falls through at this point, it would create an awkward situation for Leonard. While there’s no indication that will happen, each day brings more rumors and speculation about the Leonard-Raptors trade saga, which has already stretched on for far too long.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.